Minister for Industries, Thangam Thennarasu, distributing ‘manjappai’ to avoid usage of plastic carry bags during the launch of cleanliness drive in Virudhunagar on Friday. | Photo Credit: HANDOUT
Minister for Industries Thangam Thennarasu on Friday launched a cleanliness drive in Virudhunagar town under ‘People’s movement for clean cities’ initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Thennarasu said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has instructed to maintain cleanliness, greeny and sustainble environment by conducting cleanliness drive with the support of local people on second Saturdays. He appealed to voluntary organisations, residents’ welfare associations, elected representatives and residents to involve themselves in cleaning up crowded places, parks, school presmies, bus stands, market places, commercial establishments and public toilets.
During the Friday's drive, one km of storm water drains in Dhargas Road Street and old bus stand premises were cleaned.
Earlier, the officials took an awareness pledge on "My Waste, My Responsbility" and also flagged off an awareness rally in which over 200 sanitary workers took part. Virudhunagar MLA A.R.R. Seenivasan and Collector J. Meghanath Reddy were present.
The workers conducted a demonstration on how to segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.
Virudhunagar Municipal Chairperson Madhavan, Deputy Chairperson Dhanalakshmi and Municipal Commissioner Syed Mustafa Kamal were among those who were present.
Dindigul
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Sakkarapani inaugurated the drive and an awareness rally in Oddanchatram. A series of events including sapling planting were taken up at Gandhi Market.
According to an official release, Mr. Sakkarapani said a facility on 20 acres to carry out segregation of degradable and non-degradable waste would be set up soon. The construction of a compound wall for the facility was under way at a cost of ₹7 crore.
Collector S Visakan took part in an oath-taking ceremony at Thadikombu.
This is followed by the Collector flagging off a signature campaign and awareness rally in this regard.
The public participated in a meeting chaired by Mayor J Illamathi on solid waste management at the Dindigul Corporation Office.
The public cited that the conservancy workers do not visit their homes with two dustbins for segregating degradable and non-degradable waste and that it is a two-way process. They also complained that the garbage is not collected regularly leading to the accumulation of waste in homes.
Further, members of Chamber of Commerce complained of building debris being dumped in front of houses or shops during night and sought action in this regard. They also requested the civic body to collect garbage tax under corporate tax instead of property tax.
In the evening, the Mayor and the Collector distributed yellow cloth bags to the public at Kamaraj bus stand to promote conservation of the environment. They witnessed an awareness programme put up by young rollerskaters.
